Quarterback Trevor Lawrence enters the 2025 season at a crossroads in his young career. The face of the Jacksonville Jaguars has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency remains the key as he looks to cement himself among the NFL’s elite.
With new weapons around him and a system designed to maximize his strengths, the expectations are clear—but they don’t have to be unrealistic. Instead, it’s about identifying the benchmarks that would define a successful campaign for both No. 16 and the Jags.
Trevor Lawrence must take care of the ball
We'll grant Lawrence a mulligan on his rookie season. The Urban Meyer era doesn't count in my book, so there was no 11-touchdown and 17-interception season. Didn't happen. Good?
Ok, with that out of the way, Lawrence has still lost more fumbles than he has thrown interceptions. He's not been great at protecting the ball, and new head coach Liam Coen has ideas as to why. "He looked like he was a guy, at times, trying to do too much," he told reporters after yesterday's practice (5:20 mark). "Every throw becomes a little bit more magnified...Every throw isn't going to make or break the game."
But he's seen improvement in this area, as well. "The biggest theme for us has been not beating ourselves," he continued. "Before we can really start beating other teams." Taking care of the football is key to winning, and Lawrence must show he can do it.
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Trevor Lawrence must return to his 2022 form
Sports Illustrated's Andy Quach thinks this is a make-or-break year for Trevor Lawrence. He claims that, "If Lawrence can't do it with Coen on the sidelines and quality weapons like Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter Jr. this season, Jacksonville might be forced to evaluate whether he can do it all."
And you know what? He's not wrong. He has a Pro Bowl-worthy receiver in Thomas, a Heisman trophy winner in Hunter, and a stacked backfield. If the team assembled around him even plays up to half its potential, Lawrence will have little else to blame but himself if he doesn't put up similar numbers to his 2022 season.
Related: Liam Coen just revealed how Jaguars plan to unleash Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence must stay healthy
Injuries are always a concern in the NFL, and Lawrence has suffered from his fair share of them. A season-ending shoulder injury took him off the field in 2024, and you could potentially blame his play as the 2023 season began to unravel due to injuries, as well. He was playing hurt, and—from this view—it more than hampered his performance.
Can Lawrence stay healthy? There is a slew of new offensive linemen lining up to protect him, including solid veterans and promising rookies. He'll still need to protect himself (sliding when he can, avoiding hits, etc.), but here's hoping Lawrence gets a chance to play relatively healthy for a full 17 games.
Related: 3 notable Jaguars players who will get a new contract in 2025
Final thoughts
Trevor Lawrence doesn’t need to chase perfection in 2025—he needs to prove that he can protect the ball, return to his 2022 form, and avoid injuries. If he hits these reasonable benchmarks, the Jaguars will be in a strong position to contend, and Lawrence will solidify his role as the centerpiece of Jacksonville’s future and prove he deserves his blockbuster contract.
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